Oil-switch.



' v lng'LfwEnMoRE.

v OIL SWITCH. rrnvronmx num JU'Ly 11, '1908.

` Patented, 0Ghz-"27' 19141 y. lnventio` Edmund B Wedmor've; by

Wakinessesf E. B. WEDMORE.

OIL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11, 1908.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

` Irv/enger Edmund BWQclmov by Wicnasses E. B. WEDMORE.

OIL SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JULY 11, 19m

Patented Oct. 27

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3,

Fig.

lfm/@mmf Edmund BWedmore.

Wiessesr ments in Oil-Switches, of which UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

EDMUND B. WEDMORE, 0F RUGBY, ENGLAND, ASS'ItNOlt- TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OE 'NEWT YORK. l

OIL-Sl/VITCH.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led July 11, 1908. Serie1No.443,05.

lT0 all whom tzt-may concern A MORE, a subject of the King of Great'Britain, residingat Rugby, England, have invent-ed certain new and useful Improvethe tollowing is a specification.

f My invention relates to electric switches, and more particularly to oil switches arranged to open automatically upon the occurrence ot abnormal current through the switch. i

The object of my invention is to provide anv automatic oil switch -which may if' desired be tripped by means of an operating handle and thereby opened with a quick break; in which the trip coils arei directly connected to the terminals and yet may be calibrated without exposing the operator to danger; in which the contacts automatically assume the proper position to make the best engagement with each other, and in which a removable oil tank is automatically locked in position around the contacts by lifting it into inclosing position.

'ln carrying ont my invention the operating mechanism. ot the switch preferably comprises Atwo relatively movable members,

one being a handle which is grasped by the operator and which also controls the latching means for. holding the switch closed,

while the other member is connected to the actuating ,toggle oit the switch. The handle may be pivoted to the other'member, and during the. closing movement oi the switch is rigid with the other member until lthe switch is locked in the closing position,

y while a movement of the handle to open the switch causes the release of the latching mechanism and permits the switch to open. The trip coils are connected directly in series with the switch, preferably by mountingl them on one of the Xed terminals of the switch, and since the various parts of the trip coil may be at the potential of the terminal ot the switch, the .operator is protected Vfrom accidental Contact with thetrip coils by mounting them behind the insulating panelon which the switch is carried. In order -to enable the trip coils to be adusted without danger to the operator, a Calibrating into a `position where it may 'be` easily reached by the operator without coming into dangerous proximity to the trip'coil.

during the closing of the switch,

device extends through the panel fhe proper engagement of the contacts is insured by making the contacts automatically self-alining by supporting one of each pair in a. manner which permits it to rock in all directions about its point ot' support to yield under spring pressure to a certain extent, thereby insuring proper engagement. The oil tank is automatically locked in inclosing position by means ot any suitable automatic latcliing mechanism which is brought into latching position merely by the movement of the tank into engagement withvthe frame. ln the preferred construction pivoted members on the tank slide into engagement with lugs on the frame and thereby lock the tank in position.

Hy invention will best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. which are merely illustrations of one of the various forms of switch in which it may be embodied, and in which- Figure l is a longitudinal sectionof a .si-*itch embodying my invention: Figi). is a view in elevation. showing the operating mechanism and Calibrating device,`l*`ig. 3 is rinse-section at right angles to Fig. l, showing the contacts and the automatic the oil can in elevation', Fig. 4: is a view of the actuating and locking toggles when in a collapsed posi'- tion; Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the actuating toggle and the indicator in the position' taken b v it when the tdgpgle collapses; and Fig. G is a top view of t ie actuating mechanisiu-shown in Fig. 4.

ln the form ot switch shown in the drawings a frame or support l carries the fixed line terminals or contacts 2 mounted in any suitable insulators, and connected when the switch is: closed by bridging contacts 3 moved relative'to the"termin als 2 by any suitable actuating mechanism,y ln the form shown in the drawings vertical actuating rods 4 arevcoiniectedat r'fc end to the bridging contacts and at the other end to a crosshead 4". Actuating levers 5 are pivoted'to' the frame l at one' end and are slotted at the other'end-to engage crosshead i. The levers 5 are moved by means of an actuating toggle comprising links 6 connected to the levers and corresponding links 7 pivoted to 'the frame, .the links being joined by the 'pivot :or pin 8. lVlien the actuating toggle is" straightened the parts ber 10.

' The shaft 13a being and the switch is closed, while the collaps of the actuating toggle permits the 'mounted on one assume the positionY shown in Figs. 1 and 2 e toggle in any suitable manner, :ably through some ycollapsible actuating toggle4 of the switch. and a handpiece or handgrip 11 mounted integrally with a sector-shaped web 12a. the web 12a being integral with a shaft 13a, which is, in turn, journaled in the member 10. By this construction the handpiece 11, the web 122L and the shaft13a more as a uni-t, irrespec'tiveof the member 10. The web 12a is proiided withlugs 12and 12 adapted to engage the member 10 and thereby limit the relativemovement of the liandpiece 11 and the meni- The handpiece 1ll also controls' lat'ching mechanism by means of which the switch isy held in closed position and inthe mechanism comprises a bolt or catch 13 mounted integral with the shaft. 13t and in projection 14 on the panel 9. The catch 13 isswun out of and into engagement with swung yto the right or left, due tothe .fact that when the handpiece 11 moves, the intemember 10, rotates and in rotating,4 the 'catch 13, which is also integral with the 1 5 tends to maintain the handpiece 11 and catch .13 in latcliing position, as showiiin member 10. l

When it is desired to open the switch by operator andv with it is moved the web 12e.l in integral relation with i tates in its bearing, the handpiece 11 and web 12a therefore moving independently of integralrelation with the shaft 133, iS simultaneouslj.-v moved with the handpiece jection v14. thus releasing the member 10 and unlocking the switch; Further moreinto engagement with the member 10 andallows the switch to be opened, the handunit. The member 10 of the operating mechta-ilpieces 2% while ordi pended from the tail iieces by the rollers form vshown in the drawings, this lat-ching such a position as to coperatc with 'a lug or the projection 14as the handpiece 11 is gral1y"relatedshaft 13a, journaled in the shaft 13a, is forced .up or down. A spring Fig. 2, With-lug 12 in envageinent with the thel handpiece 11. it is pulled toward the both and journaled in the member 10,. ro-

the member 10. As `the catch 13 is also in 11 until it finally swings out from the prcment of the liandpiece'll brings the lug 12 piece 11 and member 10 then moving as a anism vmay be connected totheactuating but preferconnection, such as a toggle, which normally forms a posit-ire connection between the member 10 land the actuating toggle, but may be broken by any suitable trip mechanism to trip the switch free from the handle and thereby permit the the preferred form of connection, as shown in Fig. 2, links 16 are connected at one end to the member 10, and have at the other end actuating toggle to collapse. In

slots for the pin or pivot 8 of such length,

as shown in Fig. 1, that the actuating toggle may. collapse even though the member 10 and the links 1G remain in switch closing position. A lnormally positive collapsible connection is established between the links locking toggle consisting of two parallel 'toggle links 17 pivotally mounted on the cooperating with toggle between the links toggle between the links 16 and the actuat? As shown in Figs. 18 is pr vided ating toggle ofthe switch. 1 and al, the toggle link its free end with laterally projecting pins 22, engaged by catches 23 which are vpivpin or pivot 8, and

otally mounted on the normally hold the toggle links 17 and 18 -I f immovable with relation to each other. Each catch ,23 is controlled by its tripping coil in `any suitable manner, preferably by means ofa. tail edge of which rides a roller 25 of a movable tri ppiiig member 26 preferably made of some light insulating material. The parts are so proportioned that' when w members are lifted they engage and lift the arily they are sus- By the lifting of the tailpieces 24 the catches 23 are moved out of engagement with the pins 22, and the locking toggle 17,

18 may collapse, the part-s moving into the' position shown in Figs. Ztandand permitting the switch -to trip free from the handle and open regardless ofthe position of the' operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 shows the position of the locking toggle and the actuating toggle after the switch has' been tripped by the overload' coils, while the operating handle still remains in its closed position.

Any suitable form of trip coil or other electro-responsive tripping mechanism may be used; but the preferred construction 4is that shown in Fig. 1, in which the tripping mechanism foreach catchv 23 comprising an iron yoke or frame 27 mounted on the framework-ofthe Vswitch and forming part piece 24 upon the upper the tripping.

.1G and the actuating toggle by means of a infame.

, rest of` the switch by thev insulator which esI- a. vieldina Support,

carries the terminal 2 and byfan air gap or other dielectric between 'each coil and its c ore.

The lower end of each core' 28 forms a right angle which projects through the insulating lining 45 as shown in Fig. vl. At-

tached to these projecting ends are foot members a4 whichforce' members 26 upward when the plungers or cores 28 are drawn up by an overload comingxupon the lines. In the preferred construction, the members 26 are of tubular construction with their upper ends slotted to such af' length that ,rollers 25 are mounted between the sides of the slotted portions, while tailpieces 24 are inserted between the rollers and the bottom of the slots. There should be but little room between each tailpiece 24 and the bottom of its slot as the overload tripping calibrations partly 'depends upon the amount of movement of members 26 before the switch trips out.

Where high potential is used the operatore l should-be protected from accidental contact* with the switch terminals and ,the series coils, which are preferably mounted, as shown in Fig. 1,- behind and on the opposite side of the panel from the operating mechanism; and some suitable Calibrating mechanism for the coils is provided which extends through the panel and enables the operator to calibrate the coils without coming into contact. with them. Various arrangements for securing this result may be used; the preferred construction being a pivoted lever 30 mounted on the frame l and provided at one end with a projection 3l which engages the members 4:4 to regulate the position of the plungers, and at the other end with any suitable calibrating arrangement 32 mounted on the front ci the panel and preferably insulated from the projection 3l, so' that potential on the cores will not be transmitted to the operator.

As best shown in 3, the contacts are made automatically self-aiming to insure the maximum surface of contact between them by providing each terminal with confronting contacts 33 connected to the terminal through any Suitable flexible connections and normally moved toward each other by preferably a leaf spring 'and iinally,

the end or which 'is curved togengage a recess 35 in thev back of the contact. This recess whichis considerably' larger than the spring, y forms in effec-t a ball and socket joint with the spring andfenables the contact to rock in all directions about the end of the spring as a pivot. The bridging con-' tact 3, is made in the form of a wedge, and when the'switch is closed enters between the contacts 33, spreading themapart and mak-- ing' a firml engagement with them.

The placing of the 'oil can in position to inclose the contacts is facilitated by means of an automatic latching arrangement for securing the oil can to the frame 1 when the can is lifted into inclosing position. The automatic latching mechanism may assume various forms, and in the construction shown in the drawing comprises lugs 36 mounted on the frame 1 and each provided, as shown in Fig. 3, with an inclined' surface. These lugs cooperate with spring-pressed bolts 37, provided with .wing nuts 38 andl pivoted to the oil can bypivots 39. A coiled spring Li() tends' to Jforce the bolts into the position shown in Fig. 3, and as the oil can is lifted into inclosing position, the wing nut 38 slides up the inclined surface of the lug 36, when the can is in the proper position, is forced, byl the spring 40' into the locking position shown in Fig. 3,l automatically latching the ,can to the frame. As a result of this construction, all that is necessary to lock the can in position is to lift it into contact with theirame.'

in a switch of this type, which may be opened either by hand or automatically, it is'- desirable to have some kind of an indicating device to show how the switch was last opened, and Jfor this purpose l rotatably mount on the 'pin 46 a movable indicator 41, which is controlled by the collapse of the actuating toggle ci the switch in any suitable manner, preferably through a rod42 connected at one end to the pin or pivot 3, and with its other end in a position to engage the indicator il and move it out, as best shown in Fig. 5, when the actuating toggle collapses, thereby showing that the switch has tripped automatically.

My invention may be embodied other forms than that shown and described, and l do not limit it to the precise arrangement disclosed, but intend to cover by the appended claims all changes and modications Within the spirit and scope oi my inyention.

What l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,

l. In an electric switch, the combination with an actuating mechanism comprising a movable member,-an operating member or moving said movable member, a normally in many positive collapsible connection between said members comprising two links connectedto v links'to engage the free end of the other of said links and normally hold said links in substantial alinement and thereby enable said connection to transmit the thrust of one member to the other.

2. In an electric switch, the combination with a pivoted4 member and an operating member' for moving lsaid'pivoted member, of a llocking toggle between said members vcom- I prising a' link pivoted to one of said'members and' provided with anotch near the middle thereof, a second. link pivoted to theother member and in pivotal engagement with said notch in saidtirst member, and latching means mounted in pivotal relation with oneof said members to engage the free end of said first link and thereby normally prevent the collapse of said locking toggle.

3. In an electric switch, the combination with a movable switch actuating memberl andan operating member for moving said switch actuating member, of a locking toggle between said. members comprising a link of said connection for moving. said indicator.

pivotallymounted on saidv operating -member and provided nearl the middle with al notch, a second link pivotally connected to.

said switch actuating member and provided at the free end with a roller fitting into saidy notch in said first link, and a-l'atch mounted on the pivot of said second link to normally l. engage the free end of saidrst link and thereby prevent collapse of saidtoggle by the thrust transmitted through said toggle l'from the said operating member to. said lswitch actuating member.

positive collapsible connection between said l members comprising a locking toggle normally under set'and bodily movable with 4. In an electric switch, the combination said members, a latch mounted in pivotal relation with said locking toggle 'to normally prevent collapse of said connection, said latch being provided with an extension in.

the direction of' bodily movement of said.

toggle, and a "trippingmembery loosely mounted on said' extension and suspended chanically actuated by the collapse ofsaid connection to move said indicator and show 'the automatic opening of said Switch.

6. In an electric switch, 'the combination 'of a switch member 'and an'actuating-member mounted to more relatively to each other, of a normally positive collapsibleconnection' between said-members an indicator mounted on one of said members, and mecha 'cal actuating means responsive to the col apse 7 An electric switch comprising a switch member and an. actuating member mounted to move 'relatively to each other, of a normally positive collapsible connectionA between said members, an indicator mova ly mounted. on one of said members, and a nod.

for 4operatively, connecting said indicator f and the'other of said members to movel said indicator in response. to relative movement of said members duelto collapse ofsaid con,- 4 nection.

:In witness whereof,- I have hereunto set my hand this second day of uly,'1908.

EDMUN'D B. w-EDMORE. Witnesses: 1

CHARLES H. FUILEB, p J. A.. Fo'srnli. 

